HR-135 : Still Just a Bill

Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2019

This bill requires each federal agency to establish a model Equal Employment Opportunity Program that is independent of the agency's Human Capital or General Counsel office, and it establishes requirements related to complaints of discrimination and retaliation in the workplace.

An agency must publish a notice of any final agency action or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) appellate decision involving a finding of prohibited discrimination or retaliation, and it must report certain data with respect to specified equal opportunity complaints. Each agency must establish a system to track complaints of discrimination and include a notation of any adverse action taken against an employee for discrimination or retaliation in the employee's personnel record.

The EEOC must refer to the Office of Special Counsel a matter about which it issues an appellate decision involving a finding of discrimination or retaliation within a federal agency, and the Office of Special Counsel shall accept and review such referral for purposes of seeking disciplinary action.

An employee who has authority to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action shall not implement or enforce a nondisclosure policy that prohibits or restricts an employee from disclosing information relating to (1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; (2) mismanagement, gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority; (3) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or (4) any other whistle-blower protection.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-12-16CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.Senate
2019-12-16CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-176.Senate
2019-11-06CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
2019-01-16IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
2019-01-15FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2019-01-15VoteOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 0 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H558-560)House floor actions
2019-01-15FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H580)House floor actions
2019-01-15FloorAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
2019-01-15FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 135.House floor actions
2019-01-15FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H558-562)House floor actions
2019-01-15FloorMr. Cummings moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
2019-01-03IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.House floor actions
2019-01-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Administrative remedies
  • Congressional oversight
  • Employee performance
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Office of Special Counsel
  • Personnel records

Related Bills

See Related Bills